(Unofficial translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.“People come first” is my political slogan and longstanding philosophy. I am very pleased to see the G20 Summit adopting “Putting People First” as a core message. The Republic of Korea achieved rapid growth that surprised the world, but it now shares the same concerns as...

Nov 30, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Today is the day we have been very much looking forward to. I am very pleased that the Economic, Social and Labor Council has finally been launched. There have been many discussions and difficulties leading up to its inauguration. I am deeply grateful to Chairman Moon Sung-hyun for his persist...

Nov 22, 2018

(Unofficial translation) I just returned from a trip to attend annual ASEAN-related summits and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. I could truly sense the tremendous changes from a year earlier. Every single head of state and government spoke highly about the positive changes to the situation on the Korean Peninsula,...

Nov 20, 2018

(Unofficial translation)November 18, 2018Distinguished members of the Cooperation Committees of Korea and Japan, ladies and gentlemen,I offer my congratulations on the 54th Joint General Meeting of the Korea-Japan and Japan-Korea Cooperation Committees. I warmly welcome the members of the Japanese delegation who, out o...

Nov 19, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Distinguished Chairperson, heads of state and government, I am glad to see you all. For the first time in history, the leaders of APEC member economies are gathered in this beautiful Pacific island country of Papua New Guinea. Each and every member economy has demonstrated the strength of...

Nov 18, 2018

(Unofficial translation/ Check against delivery)I am grateful to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore for the wonderful preparation of this summit. My appreciation also goes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the country coordinator for ASEAN-Korea dialogue relations.Competition among the maj...

Nov 14, 2018

(Unofficial translation) I am glad to meet you all. We are gathered here today to discuss a very important topic.A fair economy is about achieving economic democratization. Every one of us wants to become well off. Everyone wants returns that match the hard work that they put in. As such, a fair economy is about genui...

Nov 09, 2018

(Unofficial translation)Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command.Over the past 40 years, the CFC’s strong sense of duty toward peace and security has served as the foundation for the Republic of Korea’s prosperity today. I salute the men and women in uniform a...

Nov 08, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Fellow Koreans, the Honorable Speaker and distinguished members of the National Assembly, I will present to the public and the National Assembly the Government’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 and ask for your cooperation in passing it. I hope it will become an opportunity to reexamin...

Nov 01, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Fellow Koreans, residents of Jeollabuk-do and Gunsan citizens, Today, the Republic of Korea’s new 1000-year energy history will begin here in Saemangeum of Jeolla-do, a province celebrating the millennial anniversary of its founding. Today’s Saemangeum renewable energy vision declaration ...

Oct 30, 2018